One of the biggest problems owners of lowered vehicles face is getting underneath their vehicle for maintenance. Typical jacks don’t fit under the car, and you’ll even bottom out cars if you try to drive them onto some lifts!
Enter the low-profile floor jack – a solution that provides access to the underside of your car. After lots of research we narrowed down our top pick to the NOS NSJ0302 – a 3 ton aluminum jack that provides professional level service! Keep reading about the best low-profile floor jack.
Low-Profile Jack Reviews
There are tons of jacks out there. That’s why we took the time to review the best ones on the market. We did the hard work of breaking down the pros and cons of each, so you don’t have to. All you need to do is read the reviews and pick the perfect jack for you!
1. NOS NSJ0302
We love the versatility of it’s 3 ton capacity mixed with its lightweight design. Whatever you’re looking for in a low-profile jack this masterpiece delivers.
This NOS jack is one of the most versatile options on the market. With a lifting capacity of 3 tons, a minimum height of 3.75 inches, and a maximum height of 19 inches, it’s capable of performing just about any job.
While it’s 3 ton capacity can handle most applications, if you do end up overloading it, the built-in safety valve will kick in before you do any damage. Furthermore, the ability to remove the handle allows you to easily slide this jack wherever you need it with ease.
It’s as lightweight as a 3 ton jack gets at 58 pounds, making it easy to transport and move around the shop as needed.
It has nylon wheels, which makes moving the jack around an extremely quiet operation. It takes less than five minutes to set up out of the box and it’s quick and easy to store as well.
Moreover, without a load, it takes 7.5 pumps to reach full height, which is better than many other jacks.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line low-profile jack, look no further.
Pros
- High lift capacity at 3 tons
- Built-in safety valve
- Made from high-quality materials that are durable
- Lightweight materials make movement easy
- Quiet nylon wheels
Cons
- High price tag
2. Performance Tool W1645
We love that the maximum height on this low-profile jack is over 20-inches high. Just because your vehicle starts off low to the ground doesn't mean you don’t want a little extra lift while you’re working on it!
Performance tools offer two different lift capacities for their low-profile jacks – a 2 ton jack and a 3.5 ton version. However, while the 3.5 ton might cost a little more – it’s far more usable and versatile.
With a minimum height of a mere 3.5 inches, you won’t find a lower-profile jack around. Furthermore, this jack can raise up to 20.5 inches, giving you the ability to lift anything from a lowered show car to a heavy-duty truck.
Made from solid steel, it’s an ultra-durable jack, but it’s certainly not lightweight. The Performance Tool 3.5 ton jack also comes with dual pistons for a faster lift – even when it’s under a load.
It also comes with an overload protection bypass valve for added safety, which ensures that you won’t have a hydraulic blowout if you accidentally overload the jack.
However, the most impressive feature of this low-profile jack is the affordable price tag. It offers more lifting capacity than other jacks but at a fraction of the cost.
It comes with a 90-day warranty, which isn’t the best, but it gives you a little coverage just in case you have a defective jack.
Pros
- High lift capacity at 3.5 tons
- Dual pistons for faster lift
- It has a 90-day warranty
- Durable jack made from solid steel
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Heavy weight makes it hard to move
3. Pittsburgh Automotive
While we love a ton of features about the Pittsburgh Automotive low-profile jack, we can’t look past the fact that it simply breaks if you use it a lot. That’s not a feature you want in something lifting your vehicle off the ground.
It’s one of the lowest low-profile floor jacks around. With a minimum height of just 2.75 inches, you won’t find another low-profile jack with a lower clearance.
But just because it sits low doesn’t mean it can jack things up high. Its maximum height is an impressive 19.75 inches. That’s high enough to lift a truck clear off the ground!
Even better, it has a maximum lift capacity of 6,000 pounds, which is more than enough to lift most cars and trucks for maintenance.
It’s also one of the more affordably priced low-profile jacks that we reviewed, but recent buyers report that it doesn’t last as long as other jacks if you use it frequently.
It does come with both Rapid-Rise and a dual parallel pump system, which translates to fewer pumps to raise the jack.
It utilizes steel caster wheels, which can be noisy, but they usually last a lifetime.
Pros
- Ultra-low minimum height
- The low price tag makes it extremely affordable
- High lift capacity at 3 tons
- Steel caster wheels are durable
Cons
- Not long-lasting if you use it a lot
4. Arcan XL20
We love that you can get this 2 ton jack for a fraction of the cost of bigger jacks. If you don’t need more than a two 2 ton jack to lift your vehicle why waste the extra money on a bigger jack?
If you have a smaller vehicle, you don’t need the extra power that a larger 3 ton or 3.5 ton jack provides. A 2 ton jack is typically cheaper, and you can get it loaded with more features!
The Arcan XL20 is the perfect example of that. It comes with bypass and overload valves that prevent you from overloading the jack or overextending the hydraulic ram. It might not sound like much, but it’s one less thing to worry about and keeps you a bit safer.
Another nifty feature is the 2-piece handle design that allows you to store and transport your jack from job to job easily. However, unlike some of the other jacks that we reviewed, this jack is not lightweight since it’s made from steel.
It comes with dual pump pistons that let you raise the vehicle with fewer pumps. The best part is you get all these extra features without spending as much money as you would on a bigger jack!
Pros
- Dual pump pistons quickly raise the jack
- The sturdy steel construction makes the jack ultra-durable
- Bypass and overload valves offer additional safety measures
- 2-piece handle design allows for easy storage and transportation
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Low lift capacity at 2 tons
5. Alltrade 640912
It’s the most innovative jack design that we’ve seen, but it’s not low-profile. You need at least 11-inches of clearance to use this jack, limiting its usefulness to SUVs and trucks.
It’s not a conventional jack, but that’s OK because the Alltrade 640912 is an all-in-one jack/jack stand that makes it easier than ever to jack up your vehicle safely. It can raise cars up to 21 inches, which is more than high enough for most trucks and SUVs.
Furthermore, since it has a lift capacity of 3 tons, it can easily handle the extra weight some vehicles present and still get the job done.
However, one of the most significant drawbacks to this jack is that you won’t be able to use it for most cars. Its minimum height is 11-inches,which means most cars simply won’t have the needed space to insert the jack.
However, if this jack will fit, it comes with some inherent safety advantages. First, it’s easier than ever to position the jack stand, and it gives you plenty of room to do it. It also comes with built-in safety locks that help to ensure your vehicle doesn’t fall unexpectedly.
Pros
- High lift capacity at 3 tons
- Eliminates the need for extra jack stands
- High maximum lift makes it great for SUVs and trucks
- Built-in safety lock prevents dangerous accidents
- 3-height adjustments for raised vehicles
Cons
- Not a low-profile jack if you can’t get the jack under the lifting point
6. Sunex 66175FASJ
Jacks with higher lift capacities often weigh more, that’s why a jack like this 1.75 ton Sunex only weighs 39 pounds. Lightweight and durable, it's a great choice if you’re only lifting smaller vehicles.
This Sunex jack is another lightweight jack that doesn’t have quite the same lifting power as some of the bigger jacks we reviewed. However, it has a much lower price tag and comes with a better warranty than most other jacks.
It’s a one-year warranty covering manufacturer defects, which gives you a little more peace of mind that you’re getting a quality product from day one.
Additionally, it’s lower lift capacity also translates to a lower overall weight. At only 39 pounds, it’s one of the lightest jacks on the market, making it easier than ever to move around.
You need to take note of the 16.5 inch maximum lift – as this isn’t high enough for larger vehicles. Between the low maximum lift and lower lift capacity, it’s truly only a good fit for cars, not trucks or SUVs.
It does come with rapid rise technology and dual pistons, which lets you fully extend the jack in just five pumps.
Pros
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Lightweight 39 pound design allows you to move and transport this jack with ease
- Rapid rise technology with dual pistons lets you fully extend the jack in five pumps
- The low price tag makes it an affordable option
- The compact design will fit it into any garage
Cons
- Low lift capacity (1.75 tons) and low maximum height (16.5 inches)
7. Arcan ALJ2T
While most 2 ton jacks are cheaper than 3 ton jacks, that’s not the case with this one. We do love the fact that it comes with a 1-year warranty and that it’s extremely lightweight.
When you’re looking for a jack, all you need is something reliable that gets the job done. That’s precisely what the Arcan ALJ2T provides.
It’s not full of fancy features you don’t need, but it’s made of solid aluminum materials and comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
It does a great job at getting underneath low vehicles with a minimum height of just 3.5 inches. While it only has a 2 ton lift capacity, it’s also extremely lightweight at only 50.4 pounds.
It has a dual-piston pump for a rapid rise lift and has an impressive maximum height of 19.25 inches. As long as you don’t overload the weight capacity, it easily has enough height to lift both trucks and SUVs.
Pros
- Dual pump piston design for faster lift
- Lightweight design at only 50.4 pounds
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Wide lifting range between 3.5 and 19.25 inches
Cons
- Has a higher price tag for a 2 ton jack
8. NOS NSJ0301
Lightweight, built-in safety features, a 3 ton lifting capacity, and a 1-year warranty all come with this NOS jack. The only drawback is that it only has a 8.125-inch lifting capacity, but that’s more than enough for most vehicles.
With a 3 ton lift capacity, you don’t have to worry about overloading this jack for most applications. However, make sure to keep the lift measurements in mind before you purchase. The minimum height is slightly higher than other low-profile jacks at 3.75 inches.
Despite the slightly higher minimum height, the maximum lift is still only 18.125 inches. It is incredibly lightweight for a 3 ton jack at only 58 pounds, and it comes with a 1-year warranty, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a quality jack.
As an added perk, it comes with a built-in safety valve, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally overloading the jack. Overall, it’s an excellent value for a lightweight, powerful, and durable jack.
Pros
- Great price for a 3 ton jack
- Ultra-weight for a 3 ton jack at only 58 pounds
- Built-in safety valve to prevent overloading
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Limited height range for a 3 ton jack
9. Omega 27035
We love that this jack can take vehicles over 21.5-inches off the ground. Furthemore, it’s 3.25 ton lifting capacity is among the highest you’ll find for a low-profile jack.
With the ability to lift 3.25 tons and a maximum lift of 21.625 inches, this is a universal jack that can handle just about any job. The most significant drawback is the minimum height – just 4 inches. While that certainly qualifies as a low-profile jack, there are other options out there that offer more allowance.
However, the Omega 27035 does come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, and it has a built-in bypass valve that keeps you from accidentally overloading the system.
It’s available for a great price, but you do need to be aware the jack itself is extremely heavy at 106.5 pounds. This won’t be a problem if you’re simply moving across the shop, but if you’re looking for a jack to keep in the back of your car or move from job site to job site, the massive weight of this jack can be a pain.
Pros
- High maximum lift at 21.625 inches
- High lift capacity at 3.25 tons
- Built-in bypass valve for added safety
- Great price for a 3.25 ton jack
- 1-year manufacturer warranty with purchase
Cons
- Minimum height is 4 inches – high for a low-profile jack
- Heavy jack at 106.5 pounds
10. Sunex 6603ASJPK
We love that this Sunex low-profile jack comes with jack stands straight out of the box. If you’re looking for a complete setup this is exactly what you need.
It’s not the lowest low-profile jack around, but it’s close. The lowered height is just 3.8 inches, which is low enough to fit under most vehicles.
But just because it’s a low-profile jack doesn’t mean you can’t use it on big vehicles. With a maximum lift of 19.3 inches, it has enough lift to change tires on a Chevy Silverado.
Even better, this jack comes with two 3 ton jack stands, which you’ll need to work underneath your vehicle safely.
Another nifty feature of the Sunex is rapid rise technology. This allows you to raise your jack to its maximum height in just 7 pumps.
It’s made of lightweight aluminum, quickly allowing you to take it from job to job – whether that’s across the garage or on the other side of town.
While the price tag is slightly higher than other jacks, the included jack stands make this a great deal.
Pros
- High lift capacity at 3 tons
- Two-piece handle design for easy storage
- 1-year warranty
- Made from lightweight yet durable aluminum
Cons
- High price tag – but it does come with jack stands
Best Low-Profile Floor Jack – Buyer’s Guide
Jacks might seem like a simple product. But with so much weight riding on them, making the wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences.
That’s why we took the time to develop a comprehensive guide on selecting and using a low-profile jack. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get the right jack for the job and ensure you have the knowledge you need to do the job safely.
Check the Tonnage
The most essential factor you need to take into consideration when selecting a jack is the lift capacity. As a general rule, you should use a floor jack rated for at least three-fourths of your overall vehicle weight.
While your floor jack doesn’t lift the entire vehicle, it’s surprisingly easy to overload your jack, and this can create an unsafe condition.
If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s weight, check the owner’s manual. If you don’t have access to the owner’s manual, you can always use Google to find the information.
Below is a chart with a general rule of thumb on the recommended lift capacities for different vehicle types. Be sure to verify your vehicle’s weight before lifting your vehicle.
| Vehicle Type | Recommended Lift Capacity |
| Sedan | 1.5 tons |
| SUV | 2 tons |
| Truck | 3 tons |
Double the Check the Height
Once you’ve verified that your jack is rated high enough to support your vehicle, the next thing you need to verify is that the jack is large enough to raise your car and small enough to fit underneath it.
The easiest way to determine if the jack will fit underneath your vehicle is to measure your car. You’ll need to measure from your car’s lifting point unless there is something lower between that point and where you’ll need to push the jack in from.
If there isn’t enough clearance, you’ll need to find a different jack for your vehicle. To determine if the jack will raise your vehicle enough, you’ll need to measure from the lifting point to the ground.
From there, you’ll need to add three to five inches to ensure you have enough clearance to get the tires off the ground. While this might sound excessive, as you raise your vehicle, the suspension will sag, and you’ll need to raise it even further.
Furthermore, to safely insert and lower the vehicle onto a jack stand, you’ll need a little extra clearance too.
Don’t Compromise on Safety
Some jack stands will come with bypass or safety valves, while others skip these features. Though they might jack up the price, they might also end up saving your life.
If you accidentally overload a jack, it might fail suddenly, and if you’re caught under the vehicle when this happens, it can kill you.
It’s also why you should never be underneath a vehicle while you’re jacking it up. The only time you should be underneath a vehicle when it’s only supported by the jack is when placing jack stands. Otherwise, a blown seal or a loss in hydraulic pressure can lead to severe injuries or death.
Additionally, you should always apply the parking brake and use wheel chocks when jacking up a vehicle. It’s also best to lift one wheel at a time if at all possible. All of these factors significantly reduce the chances of a vehicle falling.
Picking Your Lift Points
It doesn’t matter how powerful your jack is – if you pick the wrong lifting points, you’ll do a ton of damage. When raising a vehicle, you want to find a sturdy point along the frame. You’re looking for solid metal and a component that isn’t part of the suspension.
If you end up jacking the vehicle up by the engine, you can rip out motor mounts, and if you try to jack it up by non-metal components, you’ll end up denting and damaging your vehicle.
Your vehicle’s frame already supports the vehicle, and it’s fully capable of supporting your vehicle as you jack it up. Make sure you center the lifting pad of the jack against the lift point on the vehicle.
Raise the jack until it’s making slight contact with the vehicle, and then double-check the placement before lifting the vehicle completely.
When applying jack stands, you want to apply the same principles you use to identify a lift point. If you wouldn’t lift a vehicle from a particular point, don’t put a jack stand there!
Make sure when you’re jacking up your vehicle, you’re on a level surface, preferably one with a little grip to help prevent the vehicle from rolling out from the jack or jack stands.
Other Things You’ll Need
If you’re looking to jack up your car, you’ll need more than a low-profile jack to get the job done right. To begin with, you’ll need jack stands to support the vehicle after you’ve jacked it up.
That’s because jacks are hydraulically powered, and if there is any loss in hydraulic pressure, the jack can fail suddenly, causing the vehicle to drop.
Furthermore, leaving a vehicle on a jack for an extended period can put excessive pressure on the jack, which can lead to leaks. These leaks can cause the jack to lower either slowly or suddenly.
In addition to a high-quality pair of jack stands, you’ll need a set of wheel chocks to raise the vehicle safely.
Vehicles tend to roll when you raise them onto two wheels, and wheel chocks prevent them from rolling out from underneath the jack or jack stands.
Inspecting and Maintaining Your Jack
Keeping your jack in good working order is key to extending its service life and preventing shop floor accidents. Before jacking up a vehicle, always inspect the jack for leaks. Pay particular attention to the area around the seals and pistons.
Once you’ve jacked up your vehicle, wait a moment before going underneath to install the jack stands. While you don’t want to leave a jack supporting a vehicle for an extended period, a few moments won’t do any damage, and it’s the most likely time a jack will slip off the lift point or fail altogether.
If you see any leaks, do not use the jack. Furthermore, many jacks will have grease fittings to lubricate the moving parts. Try to grease these parts at least once every six months.
Even if your jack does not have grease fittings, make sure to lubricate the wheels and other visible moving components. This will keep everything moving smoothly and extend the lifespan of your jack!
Summary
Whether you’re looking to change a tire or overhaul your drivetrain, a high-quality jack makes the job easier. But you need a jack that you can trust to do the job safely and efficiently.
The good news is there are tons of high-quality jacks out there, and with just a little research, you can ditch the days of low crawling under your vehicle to finish the job!
So, what are you waiting for? Get that vehicle off the ground with the best low-profile floor jack and get it back on the road!
